Faculty

Physical Therapy

BaraAlsalaheen, PT, PhD*

Associate Professor

Education: PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences and MPT, University of Pittsburgh; University Physical Therapy Degree from University of Jordan

Dr. Alsalaheen is a clinical researcher and thefaculty director for the Sports Medicine Assessmentand Rehabilitation Team (SMART). The SMART lab islocated within the Physical Therapy department atUM-Flint. Dr. Alsalaheen is also a research assistantprofessor in the Department of Neurology at Universityof Michigan-Ann Arbor and a Physical Therapist atMichigan NeuroSport (Michigan Medicine).

Physical Therapy

RyanBean, PT, DPT, OMPT, OCS

Clinical Assistant Professor

Education: Transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Oakland University; Masters in Physical Therapy from Oakland University; Bachelor in Health Sciences from Oakland University

Dr. Bean is an ABPTS Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, a certified Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist, and an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor that joined the U of M Flint Faculty after 10 years of providing physical therapy in outpatient orthopedic and sports related practice setting. He continues to practice in the clinic to supplement his teaching. Dr. Bean is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Orthopedic Section.

Areas of Clinical and Research Interest:Manual Orthopedic Examination and InterventionSports-related ConcussionTherapeutic Exercises

Dr. Berg is an ABPTS Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and she is an APTA Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor with multiple years of experience as a CCCE and CI. She joined the University of Michigan Flint Faculty after 26 years of providing out-patient orthopedic physical therapy with a focus on industrial rehabilitation. Dr. Berg is a member of the MPTA and APTA including the Orthopedic and Education sections. She is actively involved in PT Heart and the MPTA.

Areas of Clinical and Research Interest:

Research Focus

Clinical Education

Interprofessional Education

Orthopedics Outcomes

Clinical Practice Focus

Out-patient orthopedics

Teaching Experience:

Clinical Education Course Series

Ethics in Practice

Business Management

Teaching and Learning in Physical Therapy

Community Engagement

Actively involved in PT Heart the student run pro bono clinic at UM-Flint

Physical Therapy

JenniferBlackwood, PT, PhD*

Associate Professor

Education: PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Western Michigan University; Masters of Physical Therapy and Bachelor's of Health Science, University of Michigan Flint and Bachelor's of Biology, Bowling Green State University

Independent Research StudyNeuroscience in Physical TherapyLiterature Analysis in Evidence Based PracticeAdvances in Neuroscience, Neurologic Diseases and DisordersEvidence Based Exam and Outcomes in Neurologic PracticeCase Studies in Neurologic Physical TherapyService Learning

Physical Therapy

CathyLarson, PT, PhD*

Associate Professor and Associate Director of Research and the PhD Program

Education: PhD in Kinesiology from University of Michigan; MSPT,University of Alabama in Birmingham; BS in Physiology from Michigan State University

Biography

Dr. Larson is a faculty member in the physical therapydepartment at the University of Michigan–Flint. Shehas been in the physical therapy profession for over30 years where she has served as a physical therapyfaculty member at Oakland University and Wayne StateUniversity. She has also worked as a clinician at theRehabilitation Institute of Michigan and Bixby Hospital.Her clinical experience primary focus has beenNeurorehabilitation (Spinal Cord Injury, CerebralVascular Accident and Traumatic Brain Injury),Orthopedics, Hand therapy, and Biofeedback.

Teaching ExperienceEvidence Based PracticeProfessional Service Learning I & IINeurologic Diseases and DisordersPharmacology in PracticeMotor Control and Motor LearningNeurorehabilitation: Examination and Intervention

ResearchInterests

Intense, activity-based PT for individuals withspinal cord injury

Use of the Ekso Inc. exoskeleton for ambulationfor individuals with spinal cord injury

Augmented EMG biofeedback to optimize muscleactivity for individuals with CVA and SCI use of EMGbiofeedback in the physical therapy classroom tooptimize the effectiveness of patient exercise programs

Physical Therapy

BeckyRodda, PT, DPT, OMPT

Clinical Professor

Education: BS in Physical Therapy from Texas Women's University in 1980. She attained her Master's in Health Science from Washinginton University in 1993 and her Post Professional DPT degree from Drexel University in 2006

Dr. Rodda is an ABPTS Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist since 1995 and has attained advanced competencies in Orthopedic Manual Therapy completing a residency program in November of 1995. Her professional affiliations include the American Physical Therapy Association: Sections for Orthopedic Education, Michigan Physical Therapy Association, and the American Association of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Dr. Rodda's teaching areas include musculoskeletal examination, plan of care which includes manual techniques. At present, her research interests include the use of rehabilitative ultrasound, musculoskeletal, manual therapy and balance.

Physical Therapy

EricaSherman, PT, DPT, MBA

Dr. Sherman is an ABPTS Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist. She has a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University and a Masters in Business Administration from Northwood University. Dr. Sherman maintains her clinical practice in acute care working with the adult ICU population in a local Level 1 trauma center. Dr. Sherman is a member of the MPTA and APTA.

Physical Therapy

LauraSmith, PT, PhD, DPT, MTC, FAAOMPT

Education: PhD, Walden University; DPT, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences; BA in Biology, Trinity Christian College

Dr. Laura Smith is an ABPTS Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified Manual Physical Therapist and Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. She has extensive teaching experience in entry-level and post-professional physical therapy education. Dr. Smith empowers colleagues and students to engage in interprofessional learning and collaborative practice. She is engaged in the local community through her work with local high schools.

RESEARCH INTEREST:Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice ModelsPerformance and Injury Measures in Athletes

Physical Therapy

LeslieSmith, PT, DPT

Clinical Assistant Professor

Education: Masters in Physical Therapy from UM-Flint; Doctor of Physical Therapy from Utica College

Leslie Smith, PT, DPT is a ABPTS Board Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Specialist and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan-Flint in the physical therapy department. Leslie graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 1995 and obtained a transition DPT from Utica College in 2015. Leslie’s teaching responsibilities in the entry-level DPT program include cardiopulmonary, endocrine, metabolic, and integumentary systems. She has 20 years of clinical experience working in acute care, outpatient and home health care with particular interest in wound care, ICU management and lymphedema. Her professional affiliations include the American Physical Therapy Association Sections on Acute Care, Cardiopulmonary and education; and the Michigan Physical Therapy Association. Leslie’s clinical experiences includes acute care, outpatient and home health care with particular interest in wound care, ICU management and lymphedema. Her research interest is in the use of simulation and interprofessional education. Leslie has been recently name to the Interprofessional Leadership Fellowship at the University of Michigan in 2016.

Teaching Experience:Metabolic, Endocrine, and Integumentary Diseases and DisordersMetabolic, Endocrine, and Integument Examination in PracticeMetabolic, Endocrine, and Integument InterventionsMedical/Surgical Conditions in PracticeCardiopulmonary Examination in PracticeProfessional Issues in PracticeProfessionalism and EthicsElectrotherapeutic and Physical Modalities

Physical Therapy

SusanTalley, PT, PhD(c), DPT, C/NDT

Assistant Professor and Associate Director for Professional Education

Education: Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy; Master of Arts in Human Development and Relationships from Wayne State University; DPT from Creighton University

Dr. Talley is Assistant Professor and Associate Director for Professional Education in the Physical Therapy Department. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and a Master of Arts in Human Development and Relationships from Wayne State University. In addition, Dr. Talley has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Creighton University and is a PhD candidate in Educational Evaluation and Research at Wayne State University. She holds a certification in Neuro-Developmental Treatment for Adult Hemiplegia. Dr. Talley’s professional affiliations include the American Physical Therapy Association, Michigan Physical Therapy Association, and Gerontological Society of America. Her research interested include balance, physical performance and mobility across the lifespan and of individuals with neurological conditions. She also is interested in the scholarship of teaching and learning, particularly blended learning, cognitive load and the classroom environment.

Physical Therapy

ChadTiernan, PhD*

Assistant Professor

Education: Bachelor, Master and PhD in Movement Science from University of Michigan

Dr. Tiernan currently holds the rank of Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Department. He earned his Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. in Movement Science from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining the department, he taught in the DPT program at Husson University in Bangor, Maine. Dr. Tiernan completed a geriatric post-doctoral fellowship at Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology. He also was a research associate with the University of Michigan’s Autism and Communication Disorders Center prior to his appointments in academia. Dr. Tiernan is a member of the APTA. His areas of expertise include dynamic systems theory, motor behavior in pediatric populations, and health and wellness in older adults.

Dr. Trojanowski is an ABPTS Board Certified NeurologicClinical Specialist and an APTA Credentialed ClinicalInstructor. She worked for 20 years in both acute careand inpatient rehab in an urban setting before joiningthe faculty at U of M Flint. She continues to practicein the hospital setting. She is a member of the APTAand volunteers for the organization at both thenational and state level.

Physical Therapy

AmyYorke, PT, PhD*

Associate Professor and Associate Director of Community Engagement

Education: PhD, Western Michigan University; Master of Physical Therapy and Bachelor of Health Science, University of Michigan Flint

Dr. Yorke is an ABPTS Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist and an APTA Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor. She has co-developed a continuing education course on vestibular rehabilitation and has provided post-professional education on a national basis. Her professional affiliations include the American Physical Therapy Association and Michigan Physical Therapy Association. Amy’s teaching areas include evaluation and treatment of patients with neurological disabilities. Her research interests include topics regarding teaching and learning in graduate education, social networking and the relationship to professionalism, and balance and falls in the older adult.